10:17PM: Dugger accepted the assignment to Triple-A, Bobby Nightengale reports (Twitter link).
TODAY, 3:21PM: Dugger cleared waivers and has been outrighted to the Reds’ Triple-A affiliate, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic (Twitter link). It isn’t yet known if Dugger will accept the assignment or opt for free agency.
JULY 8: The Reds have designated reliever Robert Dugger for assignment, tweets Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The move clears an active roster spot for closer Alexis Diaz, who has been activated from the 15-day injured list.
This DFA is the latest step in what has become a fairly predictable pattern for the right-hander. This is the fourth time he has been designated for assignment in just over two months, each time after a fairly short stay in the big leagues. He started the year by signing a minor league deal with the Rays. He had his contract selected on May 1 and threw 5 1/3 innings of mop-up duty. After his first DFA of the year, he was claimed off waivers by the Reds. They, too, gave him a mop-up assignment, with Dugger getting to pitch for another three innings before his second DFA. He cleared waivers, was outrighted and then re-selected to the big league team, but got his third DFA without making an appearance. Selected yet again yesterday, Dugger tossed another 3 2/3 innings before this fourth DFA.
In total, he’s now thrown 12 MLB innings thus far this season, faring well in that small sample. He has a 4.50 ERA, 32.7% strikeout rate, 5.8% walk rate and 37.5% ground ball rate. Despite those decent results, Dugger hasn’t been granted anything beyond a very brief stay on a big league roster. Since he is out of options, the only way to replace him with a fresh arm is to send him back out into DFA limbo each time. His numbers in the minors this year aren’t quite as impressive, as he has a 5.06 ERA with a 17.6% strikeout rate and 10% walk rate through 48 Triple-A frames.
The Reds will have a week to trade him, pass him through outright waivers or release him. He will have the right to reject an outright assignment due to the fact that he has previously been outrighted in his career. But based on precedent, it’s possible that he clears waivers and accepts another outright assignment like he’s already done a couple of times this year.
His nameplate is probably just written on a sticky note at this point.
Undoubtedly due to the negative PR associated with his family. Always seemed like a questionable move given the family backstory.
what u talkin about Willis?
I will assume he’s talking about the famous Duggar family with 19 children. Alas his last name is Dugger. No relation.
Watched him do a nice job mixing pitches and keeping batters off balance the other night. Granted, the Pirates are anemic at the plate but still somewhat of a surprise, no?
Absolutely no doubt he clears waivers. What selfrespecting GM would claim a DFA Reds reliever?
It’s a moral busting move, isn’t it?
sic:: morale
Wonder if he even bothers unpacking anymore. Poor dude.
He wasn’t too bad in the 2nd game of the double header yesterday. I’m sure someone low on the totem pole will scoop him up after he clears waivers again.
Robert continues to DUGGER a deep MLB hole for himself !!
Hey, “Jacksson13”, remember this comment you made 4 months ago in the “Details On MLBPA’s Latest Offer To League” article?
“BLAH, BLAH,BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH !
I’m dusting off the “Honey Do” list. Whenever they settle, they have lost me.
Despite the abilities of pro athletes they’re compensation is ludicrous.
THEY PLAY A GAME – FOR HEAVEN”S SAKE !!
Their performance doesn’t save lives, instill values, or put their own lives in jeopardy.
What about our firemen, police, nurses, the military, teachers, child care workers, etc.
What about the level of compensation you receive for what you do to earn a living?
Think the pro athletes are worried about: gas prices, food prices, vehicle prices, energy costs? When was the last time YOU priced a Ferrari? Bought a $5,000,000.00 House?
THINK about that next time you read about a pro athlete moaning about wanting to be paid $50 Million a year or those who are bought out or released who get paid MILLIONS for NOT playing for a team. They have jobs because of us. Find another way to occupy your time and amuse yourself. Both owners and players will regret their selfish behavior..”
LOL.
Or this comment back in the “MLB Announces Postponement of Games Through April 14th” article:
“Boycott MLB whenever it begins (and that includes watching games on TV). Show the players and the owners that the REAL POWER belongs to the people who previously: bought game tickets, bought concessions, bought merchandise and watched games on TV.
And just for good measure – Boycott the NFL, NBA, & NHL. There are better ways to spend your time. Get out the “Honey Do list. Exercise. Go for a walk. Spend time with your kids. Reconnect with your significant other, Read a book. Resume or begin a hobby.. I’m DONE !!”
Don’t try to hide now, bud. You can make all the bad puns in the world, but you can’t hide your hypocrisy.
3 2/3 innings, 2 hits and no runs? He obviously doesn’t belong in Red’s bullpen so off you go!
Octavian-It was against the Pirates.
Nuff said.
And what self respecting GM would pick him up?None but the Reds GM who will resign him.
These guys may not be good but who could pitch well under these circumstances?
Sorry Mendoza, sarcasm is sometimes hard to see in print. Just commenting on the worst bullpen in baseball.
Sorry Octavian,mine may have not been clear also.
I am a Pirate fan and my frustration with them came out.
But like the Pirates other teams seem to pick relievers up and let them pitch in one or two games and then throw them on a scrap heap without really giving them a chance.
This guy looked good,at least for one game albeit against the Pirates,and he still got the heave ho.That does not seem fair to me.
We are in total agreement. It’s not fair. It had nothing to do with his performance but thefact he had pitched 3.2 innings and would not be available for 3-4 days and our bullpen needs to cover 4+ innings per day due to starters who can’t pitch past the 5th inning without blowing past 100 pitches. Baseball has changed in modern times to something I don’t recognize.
All I can say is great minds think alike!
The good news is Dugger and Detroit/Toledo’s Drew Hutchison have been named to the AAAA All Star Team.